Philharmonie de Paris: A Womb Within A Shambles?

[Stunsworth]

I like the building. I may try and watch the Arte documentary on Sunday.

I worked for a while not too far away at Quai de Seine.

[Zucchini]

2. It's built it in an area that many wouldn't set foot in after dark.

Richard Morrison refers to this in The Times today saying "...That was done with good intentions: to attract new, younger audiences from the suburbs rather than rely on the wealthy middle classes in the centre.".

The Philharmonie's president Laurent Bayle says that the average age of Paris's classical music audiences has risen 12 years in two decades [an astonishing figure if true]. A solution must be found.

And extraordinarily, the authorities have taken the decision to ban classical music from Salle Playel - the city's main classical venue for almost a century. Why? - to help get the Philharmonie off to a flying start [I think].

[MrGongGong]

Something as good as The Sage, Symphony Hall, the Bridgwater Hall, the Victoria Hall, Hanley - would be a start.

RFH

[Alain Maréchal]

Richard Morrison refers to this in The Times today saying "...That was done with good intentions: to attract new, younger audiences from the suburbs rather than rely on the wealthy middle classes in the centre.".

Odd then, to place it well to one side of the centre, which would only make it attractive to one side of the suburbs. I suspect it needs more than convenience to attract new audiences.

[teamsaint]

It is only 5 stops on line 5 from Gare du Nord.

Ticket prices look sensible, good price range, but you dont seem to be able to choose your seat.

[DublinJimbo]

The artist's impression of the exterior was much more flattering than the reality, but the interior turns out to be virtually identical to the illustration.

I'm still thinking of going over for a few concerts in May or June. It should be well finished by then, and have begun to settle in. First reports about the acoustics are exciting.

[ardcarp]

Thanks for the clip, teansaint! An inspired choice Varese's Tuning Up to start things off. The acoustics sounded good...nice bloom to the orchestral and choral sound. The presenter explains the acoustical technicalities of the building (just before the Faure Requiem extract). As far as appearances are concerned, I find asymmetry in an interior disturbing. And the exterior? It looks like a huge chrysalis, prompting the fancy that something more beautiful may emerge.

PS I should add that the interval is devoted to the construction of the Philharmonie and to interviews with musicians, the conductor (speaking in English)the architect and others about the acoustics. I am always struck how 'interviews' on French TV simply require the presenter to start the guest off, and away they go with amazing fluency and no need for further prompting. The whole programme is very much worth setting an evening aside to watch.

[Nick Armstrong]

An opportunity to see and hear the new concert hall in just under an hour on Medici TV - streaming live the Simón Bolívar Orchestra/Dudamel performance of the same programme as I heard in the Festival Hall - principally Mahler's 5th

http://www.medici.tv/#!/gustavo-dudamel-orbon-mahler-symphony-5-philharmonie-de-paris

As covered in this thread:

http://www.for3.org/forums/showthrea...315#post462315